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Transcript/ScriptLogOn: Earth-Friendly Plastic Foam (TV/R)
HEADLINE: Shellfish Exoskeletons: A Packaging Alternative to Toxic Plastic Foam
TEASER: A California company could revolutionize the packaging industry with its eco-friendly innovation
PUBLISHED AT: 1/18/2022 AT 8:15AM
BYLINE: Julie Taboh
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Cruz Foam, Storyblocks, Skype
PRODUCER: Julie Taboh
SCRIPT EDITORS: Michelle Quinn, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Cruz Foam, Skype, Storyblocks
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:00
VID APPROVED BY: Tom Turco
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR:))
((INTRO))
[[A California company has developed an eco-friendly version of plastic foam that could become a game changer in the packaging industry. VOA’s Julie Taboh has more.]]
((NATS – cutting of Styrofoam))
((NARRATOR))
Plastic foam is a common packing product made of nonbiodegradable styrene ((STY-reen)), a tough-to-recycle material known to break into small pieces that can end up in oceans, where wildlife can ingest it.
((Mandatory courtesy: CRUZ FOAM))
But now a California company has developed an eco- friendlier version of plastic foam made of chitin ((KITE-en)),
((NATS – Crustaceans))
a substance found in the shells of crustaceans like crabs, shrimp and lobster.
((Mandatory courtesy: CRUZ FOAM))
And unlike plastic foam, it’s biodegradable.
((Radio track: Cruz Foam CEO and co-founder John Felts spoke with VOA via Skype.))
((John Felts, Cruz Foam Co-founder)) ((Mandatory Skype))
“So, what we were able to do is take that material and really develop a process that could create a structural foam that had that high performance.”
((Mandatory courtesy: CRUZ FOAM))
((NARRATOR))
The material is lightweight but strong enough to protect not only fragile items like electronics but also heavy and expensive objects such as television sets.
What motivated Felts and his co-founder was their love of the ocean.
((Mandatory courtesy: CRUZ FOAM))
((NATS – “As surfers, we hated seeing the enormous amount of plastic pollution entering it every year, and we knew there had to be a better solution out there.”))
((Mandatory courtesy: CRUZ FOAM))
((NARRATOR))
Cruz Foam is just one of a growing number of companies that are appealing to corporations’ – and consumers’ desire, to become eco-friendly, says environmental advocate Scott Cassel.
((RADIO TRACK: He is CEO and founder of the Product Stewardship Institute, whose mission is to reduce the health and environmental impact of consumer products across their life cycle. He spoke with VOA via Skype.))
((Scott Cassel, Environmental Advocate)) ((Skype))
“With the impacts of climate change, with the global plastic crisis that we have had, the consumers are really thinking about this right now. They're pushing companies to think better and think more longer range.”
((Mandatory courtesy: CRUZ FOAM))
((Scott Cassel, Environmental Advocate)) ((Skype))
“And what Cruz Foam has done is developed an interesting, innovative technological solution that uses a good material in place of a bad one.”
((Mandatory courtesy: CRUZ FOAM))
((NARRATOR))
Cruz Foam is currently in discussions with several American corporations to provide their protective packaging needs.
((NATS – Ocean trash))
It hopes one day to replace all petroleum-based plastics with natural materials for the sake of the planet.
((NATS – Ocean trash))
((Julie Taboh, VOANews))
NewsML Media TopicsScience and Technology, Environment
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJanuary 18, 2022 18:02 EST
Brand / Language ServiceUS Agency for Global Media
